From left wide receiver coach David Johnson and tight ends coach Brian Niedermeyer whisper to each other during University of Tennessee's National Signing Day celebration at the Tennessee Theatre Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018.
Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel

University of Tennessee athletic director Phillip Fulmer sits in the audience during UT's National Signing Day celebration at the Tennessee Theatre Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018.
Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel

University of Tennessee's football coach staff sits on stage during University of Tennessee's National Signing Day celebration at the Tennessee Theatre Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018.
Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel

A fan from Farragut asks a question to the coaching staff during University of Tennessee's National Signing Day celebration at the Tennessee Theatre Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018.
Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel

University of Tennessee athletic director Phillip Fulmer speaks during University of Tennessee's National Signing Day celebration at the Tennessee Theatre Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018.
Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel

University of Tennessee assistant coaches sit on stage at the Tennessee Theatre during UT's National Signing Day celebration at the Tennessee Theatre Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018.
Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel

University of Tennessee cheerleaders Kahlil Bostick and Megan Stallings greets Tennessee fans as they arrive for the Signing Day celebration at the Tennessee Theatre on Wednesday, February 7, 2018.
Saul Young/News Sentinel

From left, running backs coach Robert Gillespie, wide receiver coach David Johnson, tight ends coach Brian Niedermeyer, offensive line coach Will Friend, and defensive line coach Tracy Rocker are intriduced to the crowd during a Signing Day celebration at the Tennessee Theatre on Wednesday, February 7, 2018.
Saul Young/News Sentinel

Tennessee offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Tyson Helton talks about the quarterbacks during a Signing Day celebration at the Tennessee Theatre on Wednesday, February 7, 2018.
Saul Young/News Sentinel

Tennessee offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Tyson Helton talks about the quarterbacks during a Signing Day celebration at the Tennessee Theatre on Wednesday, February 7, 2018.
Saul Young/News Sentinel

Tennessee running backs coach Robert Gillespie greets a fan while introducing himself to the crowd during the Signing Day celebration at the Tennessee Theatre on Wednesday, February 7, 2018.
Saul Young/News Sentinel

Tennessee tight ends coach Brian Niedermeyerhead talks Farragut High School signee Jacob Warren, pictured on the screen, at a Signing Day celebration at the Tennessee Theatre on Wednesday, February 7, 2018.
Saul Young/News Sentinel

Tennessee offensive line coach Will Friend discuss his new signees, including Gibbs High School's Ollie Lane at a Signing Day celebration at the Tennessee Theatre on Wednesday, February 7, 2018.
Saul Young/News Sentinel

Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt introduces the football staff and the year's new signees during a Signing Day celebration at the Tennessee Theatre on Wednesday, February 7, 2018.
Saul Young/News Sentinel

Returning starters (0)

Other returners (4)

Newcomers (2)

Outlook

Tennessee’s top returning tight ends, Eli Wolf and Pope, combined for five receptions last season. But there’s more to playing the position than catching passes, and those two players gained key experience in 2017.

That said, the Vols also could use a pass catcher at the position.

Wood-Anderson, who signed with the Vols in December as the No. 1-rated junior-college tight end in the 2018 class, profiles as such. But, while fellow signee Warren will be with the Vols this spring, Wood-Anderson will not, as he is not yet enrolled.

The Vols are light on proven playmakers at wide receiver, so the emergence of a dynamic tight end would be a valuable asset to this offense. Ethan Wolf’s 24 receptions were tied for third on the team last season.

One prediction

Helton has discussed wanting to install a pro-style offense that features a power running game. That will lead to the Vols running more plays with multiple tight ends on the field.

One to watch

Bumphus, a 6-foot-3, 258-pound sophomore, might find Helton’s pro-style scheme suits him better than Butch Jones’ offense. Bumphus will be the biggest tight end in spring camp. If Helton is serious about establishing a power running game, getting Bumphus' size onto the field could be a nice assist.

Biggest question

Will the tight end position become a more integral part to the offense?

During the Jones era, the Vols usually had at least one tight end on the field for most plays, but they rarely got creative with the position. The tight end didn’t seem like a focal point of Jones’ system.

First-year coach Jeremy Pruitt has seen firsthand what a tight end can mean to an offense – remember O.J. Howard’s 106 receiving yards in the national championship game two seasons ago? – so maybe to Vols will incorporate the position more creatively.